Wide area fluorescent lighting apparatus

ABSTRACT

A lighting effects system comprises an arrangement of lamp elements, such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs) or other light elements, on a panel or frame. The panel or frame may be relatively lightweight, and may include one or more circuit boards for direct mounting of the lamp elements. The panel or frame may have an opening through which a camera can view. A mounting bracket and assembly may be used for attaching the panel or frame to a camera. The lamp elements may be electronically controllable so as to provide differing intensity levels, collectively, individually, or in designated groups, and may be strobed, dimmed or otherwise controlled according to manually selected or programmable patterns. Different color lamp elements may be mounted on the same panel/frame, and, in particular, daylight and tungsten colored lamp elements may be mounted on the same panel/frame and their relative intensities selectively controlled by control circuitry.

RELATED APPLICATION INFORMATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/949,206 filed Sep. 7, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,749,310, hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth fully herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1) Field of the Invention

The field of the present invention relates to lighting apparatus and systems as may be used in film, television, photography, and other applications.

2) Background

Lighting systems are an integral part of the film and photography industries. Proper illumination is necessary when filming movies, television shows, or commercials, when shooting video clips, or when taking still photographs, whether such activities are carried out indoors or outdoors. A desired illumination effect may also be desired for live performances on stage or in any other type of setting.

A primary purpose of a lighting system is to illuminate a subject to allow proper image capture or achieve a desired effect. Often it is desirable to obtain even lighting that minimizes shadows on or across the subject. It may be necessary or desired to obtain lighting that has a certain tone, warmth, or intensity. It may also be necessary or desired to have certain lighting effects, such as colorized lighting, strobed lighting, gradually brightening or dimming illumination, or different intensity illumination in different fields of view.

Various conventional techniques for lighting in the film and television industries, and various illustrations of lighting equipment, are described, for example, in Lighting for Television and Film by Gerald Millerson (3^(rd) ed. 1991), hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, including pages 96-131 and 295-349 thereof, and in Professional Lighting Handbook by Verne Carlson (2^(nd) ed. 1991), also hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, including pages 15-40 thereof.

As one example illustrating a need for an improved lighting effects system, it can be quite challenging to provide proper illumination for the lighting of faces in television and film, especially for situations where close-ups are required. Often, certain parts of the face must be seen clearly. The eyes, in particular, can provide a challenge for proper lighting. Light reflected in the eyes is known as “eye lights” or “catch lights.” Without enough reflected light, the eyes may seem dull. A substantial amount of effort has been expended in constructing lighting systems that have the proper directivity, intensity, tone, and other characteristics to result in aesthetically pleasing “eye lights” while also meeting other lighting requirements, and without adversely impacting lighting of other features.

Because of the varied settings in which lighting systems are used, the conventional practice in the film, commercial, and related industries is for a lighting system, when needed, to be custom designed for each shoot. This practice allows the director or photographer to have available a lighting system that is of the necessary size, and that provides the desired intensity, warmth, tone and effects. Designing and building customized lighting systems, however, is often an expensive and time-consuming process.

The most common lighting systems in film, commercial, and photographic settings use either incandescent or fluorescent light elements. However, conventional lighting systems have drawbacks or limitations which can limit their flexibility or effectiveness. For example, incandescent lights have been employed in lighting systems in which they have been arranged in various configurations, including on ring-shaped mounting frames. However, the mounting frames used in incandescent lighting systems are often large and ponderous, making them difficult to move around and otherwise work with. A major drawback of incandescent lighting systems is the amount of heat generating by the incandescent bulbs. Because of the heat intensity, subjects cannot be approached too closely without causing discomfort to the subject and possibly affecting the subject's make-up or appearance. Also, the heat from the incandescent bulbs can heat the air in the proximity of the camera; cause a “wavering” effect to appear on the film or captured image. Incandescent lighting may cause undesired side effects when filming, particularly where the intensity level is adjusted. As the intensity level of incandescent lights change, their hue changes as well. Film is especially sensitive to these changes in hue, significantly more so than the human eye.

In addition to these problems or drawbacks, incandescent lighting systems typically draw quite a bit of power, especially for larger lighting systems which may be needed to provide significant wide area illumination. Incandescent lighting systems also generally require a wall outlet or similar standard source of alternating current (AC) power.

Fluorescent lighting systems generate much less heat than incandescent lighting systems, but nevertheless have their own drawbacks or limitations. For example, fluorescent lighting systems, like incandescent lighting systems, are often large and cumbersome. Fluorescent bulbs are generally tube-shaped, which can limit the lighting configuration or mounting options. Circular fluorescent bulbs are also commercially available, and have been used in the past for motion picture lighting.

A major drawback with fluorescent lighting systems is that the low lighting levels can be difficult or impossible to achieve due to the nature of fluorescent lights. When fluorescent lights are dimmed, they eventually begin to flicker or go out as the supplied energy reaches the excitation threshold of the gases in the fluorescent tubes. Consequently, fluorescent lights cannot be dimmed beyond a certain level, greatly limiting their flexibility. In addition, fluorescent lights suffer from the same problem as incandescent lights when their intensity level is changed; that is, they tend to change in hue as the intensity changes, and film is very sensitive to alterations in lighting hue.

Typically, incandescent or fluorescent lighting systems are designed to be placed off to the side of the camera, or above or below the camera. Because of such positioning, lighting systems may provide uneven or off-center lighting, which can be undesirable in many circumstances.

Because of their custom nature, both incandescent lighting systems and fluorescent lighting systems can be difficult to adapt to different or changing needs of a particular film project or shoot. For example, if the director or photographer decides that a different lighting configuration should be used, or wants to experiment with different types of lighting, it can be difficult, time-consuming, and inconvenient to re-work or modify the customized lighting setups to provide the desired effects. Furthermore, both incandescent lighting systems and fluorescent lighting systems are generally designed for placement off to the side of the camera, which can result in shadowing or uneven lighting.

A variety of lighting apparatus have been proposed for the purpose of inspecting objects in connection with various applications, but these lighting apparatus are generally not suitable for the movie, film or photographic industries. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,690,417, hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, describes a surface illuminator for directing illumination on an object (i.e., a single focal point). The surface illuminator has a number of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) arranged in concentric circles on a lamp-supporting housing having a circular bore through which a microscope or other similar instrument can be positioned. The light from the LEDs is directed to a single focal point by either of two methods. According to one technique disclosed in the patent, a collimating lens is used to angle the light from each ring of LEDs towards the single focal point. According to another technique disclosed in the patent, each ring of LEDs is angled so as to direct the light from each ring on the single focal point.

Other examples of lighting apparatus used for the purpose of inspecting objects are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,893,223 and 5,038,258, both of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. In both of these patents, LEDs are placed on the interior of a spherical surface, so that their optical axes intersect at a desired focal point.

Lighting apparatus specially adapted for illumination of objects to be inspected are generally not suitable for the special needs of the film, commercial, or photographic industries, or with live stage performances, because the lighting needs in these fields differs substantially from what is offered by object inspection lighting apparatus. For example, movies and commercials often require illumination of a much larger area that what object inspection lighting systems typically provide, and even still photography often requires that a relatively large subject be illuminated. In contrast, narrow-focus lighting apparatuses are generally designed for an optimum working distance of only a few inches (e.g., 3 to 4 inches) with a relatively small illumination diameter.

Still other LED-based lighting apparatus have been developed for various live entertainment applications, such as theaters and clubs. These lighting apparatus typically include a variety of colorized LEDs in hues such as red, green, and blue (i.e., an “RGB” combination), and sometimes include other intermixed bright colors as well. These types of apparatus are not well suited for applications requiring more precision lighting, such as film, television, and so on. Among other things, the combination of red, green, and blue (or other) colors creates an uneven lighting effect that would generally be unsuitable for most film, television, or photographic applications. Moreover, most of these LED-based lighting apparatus suffer from a number of other drawbacks, such as requiring expensive and/or inefficient power supplies, incompatibility with traditional AC dimmers, lack of ripple protection (when connected directly to an AC power supply), and lack of thermal dissipation.

It would therefore be advantageous to provide a lighting apparatus or lighting effects system well suited for use in the film, commercial, and/or photographic industries, and/or with live stage performances, that overcomes one or more of the foregoing disadvantages, drawbacks, or limitations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is generally directed in one aspect to a novel lighting effects system and method as may be used, for example, in film and photography applications.

In one embodiment, a lighting effects system comprises an arrangement of lamp elements on a panel or frame. The lamp elements may be embodied as low power lights such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs) or light emitting electrochemical cells (LECs), for example, and may be arranged on the panel or frame in a pattern so as to provide relatively even, dispersive light. The panel or frame may be relatively lightweight, and may include one or more circuit boards for direct mounting of the lamp elements. A power supply and various control circuitry may be provided for controlling the intensities of the various lamp elements, either collectively, individually, or in designated groups, and, in some embodiments, through pre-programmed patterns.

In another embodiment, a lighting effects system comprises an arrangement of low power lights mounted on a frame having an opening through which a camera can view. The low power lights may be embodied as LEDs or LECs, for example, arranged on the frame in a pattern of concentric circles or other uniform or non-uniform pattern. The frame preferably has a circular opening through which a camera can view, and one or more mounting brackets for attaching the frame to a camera. The low power lights may be electronically controllable so as to provide differing intensity levels, either collectively, individually, or in designated groups, and, in some embodiments, may be controlled through pre-programmed patterns.

Further embodiments, variations and enhancements are also disclosed herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an example of a lighting effects system in accordance with one embodiment as disclosed herein, illustrating placement of a camera relative to a lighting frame.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a lighting effects system showing various components of a preferred system.

FIG. 3 is an oblique view diagram illustrating an example of attachment of one type of camera mounting assembly to a particular type of lighting assembly frame.

FIG. 4 is a front view diagram of a lighting assembly frame with small, low-power lamps to provide illumination arranged in a preferred pattern.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating aspects of the lighting effect provided by a lighting assembly such as, for example, shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating various human eye features that may be of interest in providing illumination for films, commercials or photography.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of a light segment as may be used, for example, with the lighting assembly of FIG. 4, along with filtering lens(es).

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the effect of a filtering lens on an individual light element.

FIG. 9 is a graph illustrating a frequency distribution of light in accordance with one lighting effects system embodiment as disclosed herein.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are a block diagrams of two different types of electronic controllers as may be employed, for example, in the lighting effects system illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 11 is an oblique view diagram of another embodiment of a lighting assembly frame as disclosed herein.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating various options and accessories as may be used in connection with the lighting assembly frame depicted in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a diagram of electronic control circuitry as may be employed, for example, with the lighting effects system illustrated in FIG. 11.

FIG. 14 is a graph illustrating a frequency distribution of light in accordance with another lighting effects system embodiment as disclosed herein.

FIGS. 15A and 15B are diagrams showing an oblique view and a top view, respectively, of a portion of a lighting assembly frame.

FIG. 15C is a diagram illustrating assembly of a lighting assembly frame from two halves thereof.

FIGS. 16A and 16B are diagrams showing an oblique view and a top view, respectively, of the backside of the lighting assembly frame portion illustrated in FIGS. 15A and 15B, while

FIGS. 16C, 16D and 16E are diagrams showing details of the lighting assembly frame portion shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B.

FIG. 17 is a diagram of a cover as may be used in connection with the lighting effects system of FIG. 2 or the frame assembly of FIG. 4.

FIG. 18 is a diagram of a portion of a preferred camera mounting assembly.

FIGS. 19A and 19B are diagrams collectively illustrating another portion of a preferred camera mounting assembly.

FIG. 20 is a diagram of a retention clip for a camera mounting assembly.

FIG. 21 is a diagram of a plunger used in connection with attaching a mounting assembly to a lighting frame, in accordance with one technique as disclosed herein.

FIG. 22 is a diagram of a mounting assembly with components from FIGS. 18 and 19 shown assembled.

FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating one technique for attaching a camera mounting assembly to a lighting frame.

FIGS. 24, 25 and 26 are diagram of components relating to another type of camera mounting assembly.

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing components of FIGS. 24, 25 and 26 assembled together.

FIGS. 28 and 29 are diagrams of alternative embodiments of integral or semi-integral camera mounting assemblies.

FIGS. 30A, 30B and 30C are diagrams illustrating various alternative lamp patterns.

FIG. 31 is a diagrams of an LED suitable for surface mounting.

FIG. 32 is a diagram of a lighting array mounted atop a circuit board.

FIG. 33 is a diagram of one embodiment of a lighting effects system having at least two different lamp colors.

FIG. 34 is a diagram of another embodiment of a lighting effects system having at least two different lamp colors.

FIG. 35 is a diagram of a lighting apparatus embodied as a panel having lighting arrays mounted thereon.

FIGS. 36A and 36B are side-view diagrams of two different types of surface-mount LEDs, and FIG. 36C is an oblique image of the LED shown in FIG. 36A.

FIG. 37A is a diagram of one embodiment of a lens cap for an LED, and

FIGS. 37B and 37C are diagrams illustrating placement of the lens cap with respect to a particular type of LED.

FIGS. 37D and 37E are diagrams illustrating another embodiment of a lens cap for an LED, and placement thereof with respect to a particular type of LED.

FIG. 38A is a front view diagram of a ring-shaped lighting frame assembly with surface-mount LEDs arranged on the lighting frame.

FIG. 38B is a side view diagram of one embodiment of the lighting frame assembly illustrated in FIG. 36A, showing backside fins for heat dissipation.

FIGS. 39 and 40 are diagrams illustrating examples of a panel light with surface mount LEDs.

FIG. 41A is an oblique view diagram of a panel light illustrating backside fins and a groove for attachment to a multi-panel lighting assembly, and FIG. 41B is a diagram of a multi-panel lighting assembly illustrating attachment of the panel light shown in FIG. 41A.

FIG. 42A is a diagram of a detachable integrated lens sheet for a panel light, and FIGS. 42B-42D are more detailed diagrams of portions of the integrated lens sheet.

FIG. 43 is a diagram of a multi-panel lighting assembly employed on a lighting stand.

FIG. 44 is a cross-sectional diagram illustrating an adjustable lens cover of the type shown in FIG. 12, and an optional mechanism for securing interiorly positioned color gel(s) and/or lens filter(s).

FIG. 45 is a diagram of a flexible LED strip with surface mount LEDs.

FIG. 46 is a diagram of a ring-shaped lighting frame assembly with multiple fluorescent lights.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

Before describing preferred embodiment(s) of the present invention, an explanation is provided of several terms used herein.

The term “lamp element” is intended to refer to any controllable luminescent device, whether it be a light-emitting diode (“LED”), light-emitting electrochemical cell (“LEC”), a fluorescent lamp, an incandescent lamp, or any other type of artificial light source. The term “semiconductor light element” or “semiconductor light emitter” refers to any lamp element that is manufactured in whole or part using semiconductor techniques, and is intended to encompass at least light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and light-emitting electrochemical cell (LECs).

The term “light-emitting diode” or “LED” refers to a particular class of semiconductor devices that emit visible light when electric current passes through them includes both traditional low power versions (operating in, e.g., the 20 mW range) as well as high output versions such as those operating in the range of 3 to 5 Watts, which is still substantially lower in wattage than a typical incandescent bulb, and so-called superluminescent LEDs. Many different chemistries and techniques are used in the construction of LEDs. Aluminum indium gallium phosphide and other similar materials have been used, for example, to make warm colors such as red, orange, and amber. A few other examples are: indium gallium nitride (InGaN) for blue, InGaN with a phosphor coating for white, and indium gallium arsenide with indium phoshide for certain infrared colors. A relatively recent LED composition uses indium gallium nitride (InGaN) with a phosphor coating. It should be understood that the foregoing LED material compositions are mentioned not by way of limitation, but merely as examples.

The term “light-emitting electrochemical cell” or LEC” refers to any of a class of light emitting optoelectronic devices comprising a polymer blend embeded between two electrodes, at least one of the two electrodes being transparent in nature. The polymeric blend may be made from a luminescent polymer, a sale, and an ion-conducting polymer, and various different colors are available. Further background regarding LECs may be found, for example, in the technical references D. H. Hwang et al, “New Luminescent Polymers for LEDs and LECs,” Macromolecular Symposia 125, 111 (1998), M. Gritsch et al, “Investigation of Local Ions Distributions in Polymer Based Light Emitting Cells,” Proc. Current Developments of Microelectronics, Bad Hofgastein (March 1999), and J. C. deMello et al, “The Electric Field Distribution in Polymer LECs,” Phys. Rev. Lett. 85(2), 421 (2000), all of which are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth fully herein.

The term “color temperature” refers to the temperature at which a blackbody would need to emit radiant energy in order to produce a color that is generated by the radiant energy of a given source, such as a lamp or other light source. A few color temperatures are of particular note because they relate to the film and photographic arts. A color temperature in the range of 3200° Kelvin (or 3200° K) is sometimes referred to as “tungsten” or “tungsten balanced.” A color temperature of “tungsten” as used herein means a color temperature suitable for use with tungsten film, and, depending upon the particulars of the light source and the film in question, may generally cover the color temperature range anywhere from about 1000° Kelvin to about 4200° Kelvin. A color temperature in the range of 5500° Kelvin (or 5500° K) is sometimes referred to as “daylight” or “daylight balanced.” Because the color of daylight changes with season, as well as changes in altitude and atmosphere, among other things, the color temperature of “daylight” is a relative description and varies depending upon the conditions. A color temperature of “daylight” as used herein means a color temperature suitable for use with daylight film, and, depending upon the particulars of the light source and the film in question, may generally cover the color temperature range anywhere from about 4200° Kelvin to about 9500° Kelvin.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an example of a preferred lighting effects system 100 in accordance with one embodiment as disclosed herein, illustrating placement of a camera 140 relative to a lighting frame 102. The lighting frame 102 shown in FIG. 1 may be generally ring-shaped (as shown in, for example, FIGS. 3 and 4, and later described herein), and may define a central hole 103 through which the camera 140 can view. The camera 140 itself, while illustrated in FIG. 1 as a motion picture type camera, may be embodied as any type of image capture or optical viewing device, whether analog or digital in nature. For example, the camera 140 may use film or solid state image capture circuitry (e.g., CCDs), and may be a still photography camera or a motion picture camera. In a preferred embodiment, the lighting frame 102 is physically attached to the camera 140 using a camera mounting, as further described herein.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a lighting effects system 200 that may, if desired, be constructed in accordance with various principles illustrated in or described with respect to FIG. 1. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the lighting effects system 200 comprises a lighting frame 202 upon which are mounted or otherwise affixed a plurality of lamps 205. Preferred arrangements of the lamps 205 are described further herein. The lighting frame 202 may include a mounting assembly receptor 220 for receiving a mounting assembly 230 (preferably removable in nature), and an electrical socket 215 for receiving a cable 213 providing electrical power to the lamps 205 from a power source 210, although in alternative embodiments battery power may be used. A power controller 212 is preferably interposed between the power source 210 and the electrical socket 215, for providing various lighting effect functions described in more detail hereinafter, such as, for example, dimming, strobing, selective activation, pulsation, and so on, or combinations thereof.

In a preferred embodiment, the lighting frame 202 is ring-shaped, and the lamps 205 are arranged in a pattern around the center hole of the lighting frame 202 so as to provide the desired lighting condition—typically, the lamps 205 will be arranged in a symmetrical, regular pattern so as to provide relatively even lighting over the area of interest. The lighting frame 202 is preferably comprised of a lightweight, durable material, such as thermoplastic and/or aluminum, with a flat black finish (either paint, coating or material) so as to eliminate any reflections from the front of the lighting frame 202 that might cause ghosts to the final image.

An example of a preferred lighting frame 302 is depicted from various angles in FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 4 shows a front view of a lighting frame 302, illustrating the preferred ring-shaped nature thereof. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, a number of lamp segments 306 are arranged in a radial or arrayed pattern around the center hole 303 of the lighting frame 302. The lamp segments 306 are positioned along rays 308 emanating from a center point 307 of the lighting frame 302, and are preferably equidistant from one another (i.e., the rays 308 are preferably defined such that all of the angles between neighboring rays 308 are equal). The equidistant placement of the lamp segments 306 results in a symmetrical, even pattern that advantageously provides even lighting over an area of interest.

The density of the lamp pattern may vary, and is dictated in part by the particular lighting needs. Examples of alternative lamp arrangement patterns are shown in FIGS. 30A-30C. FIGS. 30A and 30B show the lighting frame 302 with different pattern densities of lamp segments 306. FIG. 30C illustrates a lamp pattern in which pairs 309 of lamp segments 306 are arranged near adjacent to one another, while each pair 309 of lamp segments 306 is positioned further away from its neighboring pair 309 than from the other lamp segment 306 that is part of the lamp segment pair 309. The lamp patterns shown in FIGS. 30A, 30B and 30C are meant to be merely illustrative and not exhaustive. Other lamp patterns might involve, for example, triplets of lamp segments (rather than pairs or singles), or alternating single lamps with pairs and/or triplets, or lamp segments which have gradually increasing or decreasing spacing between them, or lamp segment clusters having the same or different numbers of lamp segments in each cluster, to name a few. The lamp pattern can thus be varied to suit the particular lighting needs, but is preferably symmetric at least in those situations calling for even lighting over the area of interest.

Each of the lamp segments 306 preferably comprises a plurality of low power lamps 305, such as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 4. The low power lamps are preferably solid state in nature and may comprise, for example, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), light-emitting crystals (LECs), or other low power, versatile light sources. Alternatively, fluorescent lamps may be used instead of lamp segments, as described later herein, for example, with respect to, e.g., FIG. 13. Fluorescent lights are power efficient and tend to have high concentrations or spikes of blue, green, and ultraviolet wavelength light. Most white LEDs have color spikes as well. These spikes of color combined with improper proportions of other wavelengths can render the colors of objects seen or photographed as incorrect or odd in hue. Slight color variations may be added relatively easily to the lenses of LEDs to compensate for these deficiencies without significantly impacting the overall light output. Colored LED lenses may also be used to generate a desired color (such as red, green, etc.), but, since colored lenses are subtractive in nature, the stronger the color, generally the more the output of the LED will be dimmed. White LEDs typically utilize clear or nearly clear lenses; however, in any of the embodiments described herein, a clear LED lens may be manufactured with slight subtractive characteristics in order to minimize any color spikes and/or non-linearities in the output of an LED.

The number of low power lamps 305 in each lamp segment 306 may be the same or may vary among lamp segments 306. If the number of low power lamps 305 is the same in each lamp segment 306 and are spaced the same (for example, equidistant from one another) within each lamp segment 306, then the resulting pattern will be a plurality of concentric circles of low power lamps 305 radiating outward from the inner circular portion to the outer circular portion of the lighting frame 302. It will be appreciated, however, that the low power lamps 305 need not be arranged in segments 306 as illustrated in FIG. 4, but may be arranged in clusters or other patterns, whether uniform or non-uniform, over the lighting frame 302. However, a symmetrical, regular pattern of low power lamps 305 is preferred, at least where uniform lighting is desired over an area of interest.

FIG. 5 illustrates the effect of a lighting frame assembly such as light frame 302 with low power lamps 305 arranged as shown in FIG. 4, in illuminating a subject 646. As shown in FIG. 5, radiating light regions 620, 621 from lamps arranged on the front surface of the lighting frame 302 (as illustrated in FIG. 4, for example) overlap one another in a manner so as to provide lighting from multiple angles. With a radial or arrayed pattern of lamp segments 306 as shown in FIG. 4, a subject 646 may be relatively evenly illuminated from every angle. FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred placement of a camera 140 (including any type of image capture device, whether film based, solid state/CCD, or otherwise) with respect to a lighting frame 102 (which may be embodied, for example, as lighting frame 302). As illustrated in FIG. 1, the camera 140 may be positioned so that its lens or optical front-end peers through the central hole 103 of the lighting frame 102, thus allowing the lighting to be presented from the same angle and direction as the camera viewpoint.

FIG. 6 illustrates how the lighting frame assembly with the pattern of lamp segments 306 as shown in FIG. 4 may advantageously illuminate a human subject's eyes. In FIG. 6, the iris 650 of the subject's eye 654 is illustrated showing a circular pattern of reflected light segments 652 around the iris 650. A lighting pattern of a lighting system such as illustrated in FIG. 4 can illuminate the iris 650 of the subject's eye 654 from multiple angles, thus helping provide desirable “eye lights” or “catch lights” with respect to a human subject 546, as well as providing uniform, even lighting over the area of interest.

Turning once again to FIG. 3, an oblique view of the lighting frame 302 is shown illustrating an example of attachment of one type of camera mounting assembly 330 to the lighting frame 302. In the particular embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, a mounting assembly receptor 320 is affixed to, molded as part of, or otherwise attached to the lighting frame 302. The camera mounting assembly 330 is preferably configured so as to attach securely to the mounting assembly receptor 320. The mounting assembly receptor 320 may, for example, include a socket 323 or similar indentation adapted to receive a corresponding member 335 on the camera mounting assembly 330. The member 335 may be attached to an elongated rod or arm 332, along which a camera clamp 334 may be slidably engaged. The camera clamp 334 preferably includes a generally U-shaped clamping portion 336 which may be securely attached along the housing of a camera, and may advantageously be moved along the elongated rod or arm 332 and clamped into a suitable position using a clamping screw or other fastening mechanism.

FIGS. 15A and 15B are diagrams showing an oblique view and a frontal view, respectively, of one portion of a lighting assembly frame 1502 in accordance with one or more of the concepts or principles explained with respect to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3. As illustrated in FIGS. 15A and 15B, the lighting assembly frame portion 1502 is generally ring-shaped in nature, having a central hole 1503 for allowing a camera or other image capture device to view through the lighting assembly frame. The lighting assembly frame portion 1502 may be reinforced, if desired, with ribs 1560, and may include, as noted with respect to FIG. 3, a mounting assembly receptor 1520 for receiving a camera mounting assembly (not shown in FIG. 15A), and an electrical socket 1515 for receiving a cable or wires for providing power to the lamps of the lighting assembly.

The lighting frame portion 1502 illustrated in FIG. 15A comprises one half (specifically, the backside half) of a complete lighting frame assembly. A corresponding lighting frame portion 1592 (e.g., printed circuit board), as shown in FIG. 15C, may be adapted to fit securely to the lighting frame portion 1502 (e.g., injected molded polycarbonate), and may attach thereto by, for example, exterior locking tabs 1564 and/or interior locking tabs 1567, which are shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B. Alternatively, other means for fastening together the lighting frame assembly 1501 may be used, such as screws, glue, etc.

Likewise, the mounting assembly receptor 1520 may comprise any suitable mechanism for securing a camera mounting assembly to the lighting frame portion 1502 of the lighting frame assembly 1501. In the example illustrated in FIGS. 15A and 15B, the mounting assembly receptor 1520 may comprise a raised, slightly tapered cylindrical housing, defining a hollow cylindrical chamber in which the camera mounting assembly may be fitted. If the lighting frame portion 1502 is formed of plastic, for example, then the mounting assembly receptor 1520 may be formed through an injection molding process. FIG. 18 depicts an example of a portion of a camera mounting assembly 1801 as may be affixed to the lighting frame portion 1502 using the mounting assembly receptor 1520. The camera mounting assembly 1801 in FIG. 18 comprises an elongated rod or arm 1832, at the end of which is affixed an attachment member 1835 having a generally circular body portion with two wing-like protruding tabs 1838. The tabs 1838 may be fitted into two corresponding indentations 1524 in the ring-shaped top surface of the cylindrical housing of the mounting assembly receptor 1520. The camera mounting assembly 1801 may then be twisted in a clockwise direction to cause the tabs 1838 to slide through the slits adjacent to the indentations 1524 in the mounting assembly receptor 1520, allowing the camera mounting assembly 1801 to be slid downward, then twisted in a counter-clockwise direction and locked into place in the mounting assembly receptor 1520. The camera mounting assembly 1801 may be disengaged from the lighting frame portion 1501 by manually applying pressure to release the locking tabs and twisting the camera mounting assembly 1801 in the opposite (i.e., clockwise in this example) direction from that originally used to bring it into a locking position. The camera mounting assembly 1801 may then be raised upwards and twisted in a counter-clockwise direction to cause the tabs 1838 to slide back through the slits adjacent to the indentations 1524 in the mounting assembly receptor 1520, thereby completely releasing the camera mounting assembly 1801.

A variety of other means may alternatively be used to affix a camera mounting assembly to the lighting frame portion 1502, but the mechanism used in the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 15A and 15B has the advantage of not requiring additional pieces (such as screws), and being relatively simple and quick to use.

A main purpose of the camera mounting assembly 1801 is to allow the lighting frame assembly to be secured to a camera or other image capture device, thus providing even lighting from all directions surrounding the camera or other image capture device, and allowing, for example, the lighting frame assembly to follow the motion of the camera or other image capture device as it is moved. An example of additional components allowing the camera mounting assembly 1801 to be secured to a camera are shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B. In particular, FIGS. 19A and 19B depict two halves 1902, 1912 of a camera clamp which may be joined together and attached to the elongated rod or arm 1832 of the camera mounting assembly 1801, arriving at a complete camera mounting assembly such as illustrated in FIG. 3 (i.e., camera mounting assembly 330) or, in more detail, in FIG. 22. The rectangular openings 1903, 1913 in the two halves 1902 and 1912, respectively, of the camera clamp allow it to be slid onto the elongated rod or arm 1832. A spring-loaded retention clip, as shown in FIG. 20, may be used to help secure the camera clamp to the elongated rod or arm 1832. In alternative embodiments, the camera clamp (comprising the combination of two halves 1902, 1912) may be permanently affixed and/or integrally formed with the elongated rod or arm 1832.

An attachment member, such as pre-molded clamping member 1916 shown in FIG. 19B, may be used to slide onto an appropriate feature of the camera (such as a Panavision® type motion picture camera), e.g., a rod or other feature of the camera. Other types of attachment members may be used, depending upon the particular nature of the camera or other image capture device. The camera mounting assembly 1801, in conjunction with the preferred camera clamp illustrated in FIGS. 19A and 19B, thereby allow a lighting frame assembly to be secured to a camera or other image capture device.

FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating one technique for attaching a camera mounting assembly to a lighting frame. As shown in FIG. 23, a lighting frame 1302 may comprise a mounting assembly receptor 1320, similar to as described with respect to FIG. 3 and FIGS. 15A-15B, for example. In connection with attaching a camera mounting assembly 2328, a spring 2305 is first positioned in the mounting assembly receptor 2320, atop of which is then placed a plunger 2308 (such as illustrated in FIG. 21). Then, the camera mounting assembly 2328 is attached, by, e.g., inserting the attachment member into the mounting assembly receptor 2320. In essence, the application of the attachment member to the mounting assembly receptor 2320 may be viewed analogously to inserting and twisting a “key” in a keyhole. The spring 2305 effectively locks the camera mounting assembly 2328 in place against the back “keyplate” surrounding the keyhole, thus allowing the camera mounting assembly 2328 to be “twist-locked” into place. The assembly structure shown in FIG. 23 allows relatively easy attachment and detachment of the camera mounting assembly 2328. Other attachment techniques may also be used.

Another embodiment of a camera mounting assembly, as may be used to attach a lighting frame to a camera or other image capture device, is illustrated in FIG. 27, and various components thereof are illustrated individually in FIGS. 24, 25 and 26. With reference first to FIG. 24, two halves 2415, 2418 of a camera clamp may be joined together to form a main camera clamp body. the two halves 2415, 2418 may be secured together by screws or any other suitable fastening means. A slot in the camera clamp body may be provided to allow placement of a thumbwheel 2604 (illustrated in FIG. 26) which allows tightening of a clamping member 2437. Several holes 2430 are provided in camera clamp portion 2415, which receive corresponding protrusions 2511 from an attachment member 2501, illustrated in FIG. 25, which has a generally circular body portion 2519 with two wing-like protruding tabs 2586. The completed camera mounting assembly 2701 appears as in FIG. 27.

The tabs 2586 of the camera mounting assembly 2701 shown in FIG. 27 may be fitted into the two corresponding indentations 1524 in the ring-shaped top surface of the cylindrical housing of the mounting assembly receptor 1520 shown in FIG. 15, as described previously with respect to the FIG. 22 camera mounting assembly. As before, the camera mounting assembly may be twisted in a clockwise direction to cause the tabs 2586 to slide through the slits adjacent to the indentations 1524 in the mounting assembly receptor 1520, allowing the camera mounting assembly 2701 to be slid downward, then twisted in a counter-clockwise direction and locked into place in the mounting assembly receptor 1520. The camera mounting assembly 2701 may be disengaged from the lighting frame portion 1501 by manually applying pressure to release the locking tabs and twisting the camera mounting assembly 2701 in the opposite (i.e., clockwise in this example) direction from that originally used to bring it into a locking position. The camera mounting assembly 2701 may then be raised upwards and twisted in a counter-clockwise direction to cause the tabs 2586 to slide back through the slits adjacent to the indentations 1524 in the mounting assembly receptor 1520, thereby completely releasing the camera mounting assembly 2701.

As noted previously, a variety of other means may alternatively be used to affix a camera mounting assembly 2701 of FIG. 27 to the lighting frame portion 1502.

As with the camera mounting assembly 1801 shown in FIG. 18, the camera mounting assembly of FIG. 27 functions to allow a lighting frame assembly to be secured to a camera or other image capture device, thus allowing, for example, the lighting frame assembly to follow the motion of the camera or other image capture device as it is moved. An attachment member, such as pre-molded clamping member 2437 shown in FIG. 24, may be used to slide onto an appropriate feature, such as a rod or other feature, of the camera (for example, an Arri® type motion picture camera).

FIGS. 28 and 29 are diagrams of alternative embodiments of camera mounting assemblies having certain integral components. FIG. 28 illustrates a camera mounting assembly 2801 as may be used, for example, to secure a lighting frame to a Panavision® type camera. As shown in FIG. 28, an attachment member 2838 (or “key”) connects with, and integrally attaches to, a camera clamp plate 2802, in a manner similar to that shown in FIG. 18, but eliminating the elongated rod or arm shown therein. A pair of cylindrically-shaped lock lever “screws” 2851, 2852 enable the camera mounting assembly 2801 to attach to an appropriate feature of the camera. Lock levers 2855, 2856 connected to each of the lock lever screws 2851, 2852 can be flipped (e.g., a quarter turn) in order to lock the screws 2851, 2852 into place, thus securing the camera mounting assembly 2801 to the camera. The lock lever screws 2851, 2852 can be flipped the opposite direction to unlock the screws 2851, 2852 and thereby release the camera mounting assembly 2801 from the camera.

FIG. 29 illustrates a camera mounting assembly 2901 as may be used, for example, to secure a lighting frame to an Arri® type camera. As shown in FIG. 29, an attachment member 2938 (or “key”) connects with, and attaches to, a camera clamp plate 2902, by way of, e.g., screws 2940. A cylindrically-shaped lock lever screw 2951 enables the camera mounting assembly 2901 to attach to an appropriate feature of the camera. A lock lever 2855 connected to the lock lever screw 2851 can be flipped (e.g., a quarter turn) in order to lock the screw 2851 into place, thus securing the camera mounting assembly 2901 to the camera. The lock lever screw 2851 can be flipped the opposite direction to unlock the screw 2851 and thereby release the camera mounting assembly 2901 from the camera.

Additional details of the particular lighting frame portion 1501 of FIGS. 15A and 15B are illustrated in FIGS. 16A through 16E. FIGS. 16A and 16B, for example, are diagrams showing an oblique view and a top view, respectively, of the backside of the lighting frame portion 1501 illustrated in FIGS. 15A and 15B. In FIGS. 16A and 16B can more clearly be seen, for example, the interior locking tabs 1567 and exterior locking tabs 1564 that can be used to secure the lighting frame portion 1501 to its corresponding half, as previously described with respect to FIG. 15C. In FIG. 16C is depicted a close-up illustration of the backside of the mounting assembly receptor 1520 and electrical socket 1515 illustrated from the opposite side in FIGS. 15A and 15B. In FIGS. 16D and 16E can be seen additional details of both the mounting assembly receptor 1520 (FIG. 16D) and the interior locking tabs 1567 and exterior locking tabs 1564. As shown in FIGS. 16D and 16E, the interior locking tabs 1567 may include a protruding locking member 1570 for securing the lighting frame portion 1501 to its counterpart by, e.g., snapping it into place, and the exterior locking tabs 1564 may likewise include protruding locking members 1568 having a similar function. The frame wall 1562 between the two nearby exterior locking tabs 1564 may be reinforced with a supporting rib 1569, to provide added counter-force when the lighting frame assembly is put together.

The camera mounting assemblies shown in FIGS. 18, 23, 27, 28 and 29 are merely examples of camera mounting assemblies that may be utilized in various embodiments described herein. Other camera mounting assemblies may be specifically adapted to the particular camera of interest. The mounting assembly receptor 320 (or 1520) may in one aspect be viewed as a universal receptor, allowing different camera mounting assemblies to be connected to the lighting frame, provided that they are compatible with the mounting assembly receptor (such as the example shown in FIGS. 15A-15BB and elsewhere). A single lighting frame may thus be used with any of a variety of different cameras or other image capture devices. Although examples have been explained with respect to certain camera types (that is, a Panavision® camera or an Arri® camera), the camera may be of any type, whether for film or still photograph, and may be based upon either analog or digital imaging techniques. Moreover, while preferred dimensions are illustrated in some of the figures, the mounting assemblies and components thereof may be of any appropriate size and shape.

Further description will now be provided concerning various preferred light elements as may be used in connection with one or more embodiments as disclosed herein. While generally discussed with reference to FIG. 3, the various light elements described below may be used in other embodiments as well. When embodied as LEDs, the low power lamps 305 typically will emit light at approximately 7400-7500 K degrees when at full intensity, which is white light approximating daylight conditions. However, LEDs of a different color, or one or more different colors in combination, may also be used. FIG. 9 is an energy spectrum graph showing a typical frequency distribution (in terms of light wavelength) of light output from white-light, low voltage LEDs, and illustrating a main peak at about 600 nanometers. A color correction mechanism, such as a color correction gel or lens filter, may be used to alter the color of the LED light. For example, the LED light could be converted to “tungsten daylight” (similar in hue to an incandescent bulb) by use of a color gel or colored lens. A diffusion lens or filter may also be used, by itself or in conjunction with a color gel or colored lens, to diffuse or soften the outgoing light. A diffusion lens or filter may be formed of, e.g., clear or white opaque plastic, and may be configured in a ring-shaped pattern of similar dimension to the light frame 302 to facilitate mounting thereon. FIG. 17, for example, shows a diagram of an opaque, ring-shaped cover 1701 as may be used in connection with the lighting frame assembly depicted in FIG. 3 or FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a more detailed diagram of a light segment 792 (e.g., an array) as may be used, for example, in connection with the lighting frame 302 shown in FIG. 4. The light segment 792 may correspond to each of the individual light segments 306 shown in FIG. 4, and the various light elements (i.e., LEDs) 790 in FIG. 7 may correspond to the individual low power lamps 305 shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 7 illustrates a straight row of LEDs 790 as may comprise the lighting segment 790. Although fifteen LEDs 790 are illustrated in the example shown in FIG. 7, any number of LEDs 790 may be used, subject to physical space limitations and lighting intensity requirements. In addition, a set of filtering lenses 794 (which are preferably formed as a single, collective lens comprised of individual lens elements 795 connected together) may be placed over the light segment 792 as shown, such that each lens element 795 is positioned in the light path of one of the LEDs 790. The overall effect can be, for example, to focus or spread the light according to a specifically desired pattern, such as the exemplary light pattern 796 shown in FIG. 7. A variety of other light filtering techniques may also be used.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the effect of a filtering lens element (e.g., wave guide) 876 on an individual light element (e.g., LED) 872. As shown in FIG. 8, light 874 emanates from the LED 872 in a generally even pattern, but can be focused or otherwise filtered by the filtering lens element 876. FIG. 7 illustrates an example of collectively filtering all of the LEDs 790 of the light segment 792.

Various embodiments of lighting apparatus as described herein utilize different color lamp elements in order to achieve, for example, increased versatility or other benefits in a single lighting mechanism. Among the various embodiments described herein are lamp apparatuses utilizing both daylight and tungsten lamp elements for providing illumination in a controllable ratio. Such apparatuses may find particular advantage in film-related applications where it can be important to match the color of lighting with a selected film type, such as daylight or tungsten.

Alternatively, or in addition, lamp elements of other colorations may be utilized. It is known, for example, to use colored lamp elements such as red, green, and blue LEDs on a single lighting fixture. Selective combinations of red, green, and blue (“RGB”) lamp elements can generally be used to generate virtually any desired color, at least in theory. Lighting systems that rely upon RGB lamp elements can potentially used as primary illumination devices for an image capture system, but suffer from drawbacks. One such problem is that the red, green, and blue colors generated by the light elements do not necessary mix completely. The discrete RGB lamp elements (e.g., LEDs) each project a localized “pool” of its individual primary color. This manifests as spots of color, or bands of individual or partially mixed colors. One of the only presently available solutions to correct for this problem is mixing the colors using a diffusion technique. Diffusion mixing can be accomplished by adding defractors, gratings, or white opal-appearing filters, for example. Unfortunately, these techniques end up reducing the overall output of the lighting apparatus and, more importantly, severely reduce the ability of the LEDs to “project” light in a direct fashion. Another problem for illumination systems which rely upon RGB color mixing is that not all of the LEDs are generally used at full power for most lighting situations. One or two of the LED color groups typically have to be dimmed in order for the desired color to be generated, which can further reduce the overall light output. When these factors are considered in combination, RGB based lighting apparatus may not be well suited for providing primary illumination for image capture applications (such as film).

While the foregoing discussion has principally focused on RGB based lighting apparatus, similar problems and drawbacks may be experienced when employing lamp elements in other color combinations as well.

In various embodiments as disclosed herein, a lighting apparatus is provided which utilizes two or more complementary colored lamp elements in order to achieve a variety of lighting combinations which, for example, may be particularly useful for providing illumination for film or other image capture applications. A particular example will be described with respect to a lighting apparatus using lamp elements of two different colors, herein referred to as a “bi-color” lighting apparatus. In a preferred embodiment, the bi-color lighting apparatus utilizes light elements of two different colors which (unlike red, green, and blue) are separated by a relatively small difference in their shift or color balance. When reference is made herein to light elements of two different colors, the light elements may, for example, include a first group which provide light output at a first color and a second group which provide light output at a second color, or else the light elements may all output light of a single color but selected ones of the light elements may be provided with colored LED lenses or filtering to generate the second color. In a preferred embodiment, as will be described, the bi-color lighting apparatus uses lamp elements having daylight and tungsten hues (for example, 5200° K and 3200° K color temperatures, respectively). Other bi-color combinations may also be used and, preferably, other combinations of colors which are closely in hue or otherwise complementary in nature.

One possible advantage of a bi-color lighting system as will be described in certain embodiments below is the ability to more easily blend two similar colors (e.g., 5500 K and 3200 K color temperature hues), particularly when compared to a tri-color (e.g., RGB) lighting system that relies upon opposing or widely disparate colors. The blending process of two similar colors is not nearly as apparent to the eye, and more importantly in certain applications, is a more suitable lighting process for film or video image capture devices. In contrast, attempting to blend 3 primary or highly saturated (and nearly opposite colors) is much more apparent to the eye. In nature one may visually perceive the blending of bi-colors, for example, from an open sky blue in the shade, to the warmth of the direct light at sunset. Such colors are generally similar, yet not the same. Their proportion in relation to each other is a naturally occurring gradient in most every naturally lit situation. This difference is the basis of most photographic and motion picture lighting hues. These hues give viewers clues as to time of day, location and season. Allowing separate control of the two different color lamp elements (such as LEDs), through two separate circuit/dimmer controls or otherwise, provides the ability to easily adjust (e.g., cross-fade, cross-dim, etc.) between the two colors because they do not have significant color shifts when dimmed and blend in a visually pleasing manner, allowing the type of color gradients that occur in nature. In addition, virtually all still and motion picture film presently used in the industry is either tungsten or daylight balanced, such that various combinations of daylight and tungsten (including all one color) are well matched directly to the most commonly used film stocks. These features make various of the lighting apparatus described herein particularly well suited for wide area still, video, and motion picture usage, especially as compared to RGB-based or other similar lighting apparatus. The above principles may also be extended to lighting systems using three or more lamp element colors.

FIG. 33 is a diagram of one embodiment of a lighting effects system 3300 having at least two different lamp element colors. As illustrated in FIG. 33, the lighting effects system 3300 comprises a lighting frame mounting surface 3302 having a plurality of lamp elements 3305 which, in this example, include daylight LEDs 3304 and tungsten LEDs 3303, although different lamp elements and/or different colors could be chosen. The lighting effects system 3300 further comprises various control electronics for controlling the illumination provided by the lamp elements 3305. In particular, the lighting effects system 3300 comprises an intensity control adjustment 3342, an intensity control circuit 3345, a ratio control adjustment 3341, and a ratio control circuit 3346. The intensity control adjustment 3342 and ratio control adjustment 3341 may each be embodied as, e.g., manual control knobs, dials, switches, or other such means, or alternatively may be embodied as a digital keypad, a set of digital buttons, or the like. A visual display (not shown) such as an LCD display may be provided to allow the operator to view the settings of the intensity control adjustment 3342 and ratio control adjustment 3341. Alternatively, the ratio control adjustment 3341 and/or intensity control adjustment 3342 may comprise digital commands or values received from a computer or similar device.

In operation, setting the intensity control adjustment 3342 selects the illumination level for the lamp elements 3305, while setting the ratio control adjustment 3341 selects the relative intensities between, in this example, the daylight LEDs 3304 and the tungsten LEDs 3303. The intensity control circuit 3352 and ratio control circuit 3346 may comprise analog and/or digital circuitry, and the output of the ratio control circuit 3346 modifies the incoming power supply separately for the daylight LEDs 3304 and the tungsten LEDs 3303 in a manner dictated by the setting of the ratio control adjustment 3341. Accordingly, by use of the ratio control adjustment 3341, the operator may select more daylight illumination by increasing the relative intensity of the daylight LEDs 3304 or may select more tungsten illumination by increasing the relative intensity of the tungsten LEDs 3303. To increase or decrease the overall light output intensity, the operator may adjust the intensity control adjustment 3342. The lighting effects system 3300 thereby may provide different combinations of daylight/tungsten coloration to match a wide variety of settings and circumstances, with the two colors being generally complementary in nature and thus providing a balanced, well blended illumination effect.

FIG. 34 is a diagram of another embodiment of a lighting effects system having at least two different lamp colors. As illustrated in FIG. 34, and similar to FIG. 33, the lighting effects system 3400 comprises a lighting frame mounting surface 3402 having a plurality of lamp elements 3405 which, in this example, include daylight LEDs 3404 and tungsten LEDs 3403, although different lamp elements and/or different colors could be chosen. The lighting effects system 3400, as with that of FIG. 33, further comprises various control electronics for controlling the illumination provided by the lamp elements 3405. In particular, the lighting effects system 3400 comprises individual intensity control adjustments 3451, 3452 for daylight and tungsten lamp elements (e.g., (LEDs) 3403, 3404, and individual intensity control circuits 3456, 3457 also for the daylight and tungsten LEDs 3403, 3404. The tungsten intensity control adjustment 3451 and daylight intensity control adjustment 3452 may, similar to FIG. 33, each be embodied as, e.g., manual control knobs, dials, switches, or other such means, or alternatively may be embodied as a digital keypad, a set of digital buttons, or the like. A visual display (not shown) such as an LCD display may be provided to allow the operator to view the settings of the two intensity control adjustments 3451, 3452. Alternatively, the intensity control adjustments 3451, 3452 may comprise digital commands or values received from a computer or similar device.

In operation, setting the tungsten intensity control adjustment 3451 selects the illumination level for the tungsten LEDs 3403 via the tungsten intensity control circuit 3456, and setting the daylight intensity control adjustment 3452 selects the illumination level for the daylight LEDs 3404 via the daylight intensity control circuit 3457. The relative settings of the tungsten intensity control adjustment 3451 and the daylight intensity control adjustment 3452 generally determine the relative intensities between, in this example, the daylight LEDs 3404 and the tungsten LEDs 3403. The intensity control circuits 3456, 3457 may comprise analog and/or digital circuitry, and the relative outputs of the tungsten intensity control circuit 3456 and the daylight intensity control circuit 3456 generally determine the illumination level and composition. The operator may select more daylight illumination by increasing the relative intensity of the daylight LEDs 3304 or may select more tungsten illumination by increasing the relative intensity of the tungsten LEDs 3303. The lighting effects system 3400 thereby may provide different combinations of daylight/tungsten coloration to match a wide variety of settings and circumstances, as with the FIG. 33 embodiment.

Because the two different colors of LEDs (e.g., daylight and tungsten) can be controlled separately (through common or separate circuitry), and because these particular LEDs, or other similar complementary colors, do not have significant color shifts when dimmed, it would be relatively straightforward to adjust (e.g., cross-fade, cross-dim) between the two colors and, for example, provide a variety of natural light illumination effects for various types of common film stock.

The lighting apparatuses of FIGS. 33 and 34 may, if desired, be physically embodied in a manner as described elsewhere herein; for example, the lighting apparatus may be embodied with a generally ring-shaped lighting frame as illustrated in and/or described with respect to FIG. 4, or with a portable frame such as generally illustrated in and/or described with respect to FIG. 35. The principles and underlying concepts associated with the embodiments of FIGS. 33 and 34 may be extended to support more than two colors of lamp elements 3305 or 3405. Moreover, the lighting apparatuses of FIGS. 33 and 34 may utilize any number of lamp elements in a bi-color or other multi-color arrangement, in any desired pattern.

Returning now to the general diagram of a lighting effects system 201 illustrated in FIG. 2 (although the following comments will apply to various other embodiments such as the lighting frame assembly shown in FIGS. 3 and 4), the LEDs or other low power lamps 205 may be operated at a standard direct current (DC) voltage level, such as, e.g., 12 volts or 24 volts, and may be powered by a power source 210 controlled by a power controller 212 such as generally shown in FIG. 2. The power source 210 can generally comprise a standard electrical outlet (i.e., nominal 110 volt AC power line), although in various embodiments the power source 210 could also be a battery having sufficient current to drive the LEDs or other low power lamps 205. In some embodiments, the power controller 212 may be omitted, and the lighting frame 202 may be connected directly to the power source 210.

Block diagrams of two different types of power controllers 212 as may be used in various embodiments as described herein are illustrated in FIGS. 10A and 10B, respectively. With reference to FIG. 10A, a first type of power controller 1012 has an input for receiving an AC power source 1003, and outputs a plurality of power wires 1047 preferably through a cable (e.g., cable 213 shown in FIG. 2) for connection to the lighting frame 202. The power controller 1012 may further comprise a power converter 1020, the nature of which depends upon the type of power source 210. If the power source is an AC source, the power converter 1020 may comprise an AC-to-DC converter and appropriate step-down power conversion circuitry (e.g., a step-down transformer). On the other hand, if the power source is a DC source (e.g., a battery), the power converter 1020 may comprise a DC-to-DC converter, if necessary. The design and construction of power converters is well known in the field of electrical engineering, and therefore is not be described herein in detail.

The power converter 1020 is preferably connected to a plurality of switches 1022, which may be solid state devices (e.g., transistors) or analog devices (e.g., relays), each switch controlling power delivered by the power converter 1020 to one of the wires 1047 output by the power controller 1012. A switch selector 1042 controls the on/off state each switch (or group) in the set of switches 1022. A manual interface 1030 is provided to allow operation of the switches 1022 according to manual selection. The manual interface 1030 may include a master power switch 1031, switch controls 1032, and, optionally, an effects selector 1033. The switch controls 1032 may include an individual manual switch, button or other selection means for each individual switch provided in the set of switches 1022, or else may comprise a control mechanism (such as knob or reduced number of manual switches, buttons or other selection means) for selecting groups of switches 1022 according to predesignated arrangements. As but one example, assuming a light arrangement such as shown in FIG. 4, a knob provided as part of the switch controls 1032 could have a first setting to select all of the light segments 306, a second setting to select every other light segment 306, and a third setting to select every fourth light segment 306, thus providing options of 100%, 50% and 25% total light output. The switch selector 1042 would then convert each knob setting to a set of control signals to the appropriate switches 1022, which in turn would control power to the wires 1047 supplying power to the light segments 306.

As another example, the switch controls 1032 could include an individual manual switch, button or other selection means for each light segment 306 or group of light segments 306 in the lighting arrangement.

An effects generator 1043 may optionally be included in the power controller 1012, along with an effects selector 1033 which forms part of the manual interface 1030. The effects generator 1043 may provide the ability to create various lighting effects, such as, e.g., dimming, strobing, pulsation, or pattern generation. The effects selector 1043 may affect all of the switches 1022 simultaneously, or else may affect individual switches or groups of switches 1022, depending upon the desired complexity of the lighting effects. Dimming may be accomplished, for example, through a manual control knob or multi-position switch on the effects selector 1033. The dimming control may be electronically implemented, for example, in an analog fashion through a variable resistive element, or in a digital fashion by detecting the selected manual setting and converting it to selecting power setting through, e.g., selected resistive elements in a resistive ladder circuit. Where the switches 1022 are implemented, for example, as controllable variable amplifiers, the selectable resistance may be used to control the output of each amplifier and thereby the light output by the amplifier's respective light segment 306 (or group of light segments 306). In other embodiments, the dimming control may optionally be applied to the output of switches 1022. Where dimming control is applied collectively, it may be implemented by applying the selected dimming control level to the incoming signal from the power converter 1020, which is supplied to all of the switches 1022 collectively. Other variations for implementing dimming control are also possible and will be apparent to those skilled in the art of electrical engineering.

Strobing may be accomplished by generating an oscillating signal and applying it as a control signal either upstream or downstream from the switch selector 1042. The frequency of oscillation may be selectable via a manual knob, switch or other selection means as part of the effects selector 1033.

Pattern generation may be accomplished by, e.g., manual selection from a number of predefined patterns, or else through an interface allowing different pattern sequencing. Patterns may include, for example, strobing or flashing different groups of light segments 306 (given the example of FIG. 3) in a predefined sequence (which may be a pseudo-random sequence, if desired), strobing or flashing different low power lamps 305 of the light segments 306 in a predefined (or pseudo-random) sequence, gradually dimming or brightening the light segments 306 (individually, in groups, or collectively), or various combinations of these effects.

Alternatively, rather than providing a separate effects selector 1033, certain effects may be combined with the switch controls 1032. For example, a dimmer switch (knob) could be used to both activate a light segment 306, or group of light segments 306, and also control light output via rotation of the dimmer switch (knob).

FIG. 10B is a block diagram showing another example of a power controller 1052 as may be used, for example, in the lighting effects system 200 of FIG. 2 or other embodiments described herein. Like the power controller 1012 shown in FIG. 10A, the power controller 1052 shown in FIG. 10B includes a power source input 1053 connected to a power converter 1060. It further includes a set of switches 1062 receiving power from the power converter 1060, and providing power to individual wires 1097 which are conveyed, preferably by cable, to the lighting frame assembly 201 of the lighting effects system 200. The power controller 1052 also includes a switch selector 1072, which may comprise, for example, a set of registers which provide digital signals to the switches 1062 to control their on/off state.

The power controller 1052 includes a processor 1074 which may be programmed to provide various lighting effects by manipulating the switch selector 1072 (for example, by changing values in registers which control the on/off states of the switches 1062). The processor 1074 may interface with a memory 1075, which may comprise a volatile or random-access memory (RAM) portion and a non-volatile portion (which may comprise, e.g., ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, and/or flash-programmable ROM), the latter of which may contain programming instructions for causing the processor 1074 to execute various functions. The memory 1075 may be loaded through an I/O port 1076, which may include an electrical serial or parallel interface, and/or an infrared (IR) reader and/or bar code scanner for obtaining digital information according to techniques well known in the field of electrical engineering and/or electro-optics. An interface 1080 may also be provided for programming or otherwise interfacing with the processor 1074, or manually selecting various lighting effects options through selectable knobs, switches or other selection means, as generally explained previously with respect to FIG. 10A. The processor-based control system illustrated in FIG. 10B may also include other features and components which are generally present in a computer system.

In operation, the processor 1074 reads instructions from the memory 1075 and executes them in a conventional manner. The instructions will generally cause the processor 1074 to control the switch selector by, e.g., setting various digital values in registers whose outputs control the switches 1062. The programming instructions may also provide for various lighting effects, such as dimming, strobing, pulsation, or pattern generation, for example. To accomplish dimming, the processor 1074 may be programmed select binary-encoded values to load into registers of the switch selector 1072, which in turn select a variable resistance value which controls the output from each individual or group of switches 1062. To accomplish strobing, the processor 1074 may be programmed to turn the switches 1062 on and off according to a predesignated pattern dictated by the programming instructions. The processor 1074 may make use of one or more electronic timers to provide timing between on and off events. The programming instructions may provide that the switches 1062 are turned on and off according to designated sequences, thus allowing the capability of pattern generation via the processor 1074. As mentioned before, patterns may include, for example, strobing or flashing different groups of light segments 306 (given the example of FIG. 3) in a predefined (or pseudo-random) sequence, strobing or flashing different low power lamps 305 of the light segments 306 in a predefined (or pseudo-random) sequence, gradually dimming or brightening the light segments 306 (individually, in groups, or collectively), or various combinations of these effects.

Although the lighting frame 302 and lighting arrangement illustrated in FIG. 3 provides various advantages, other lighting frames and other lighting arrangements may also be used in a lighting effects system, and may be employed in connection with various techniques as described herein.

Another embodiment of a lighting frame 1101, for example, is illustrated in FIG. 11. The lighting frame 1101 shown in FIG. 11 may be used in connection with a lighting effects system 201 such as shown in and previously described with respect to FIG. 2, and may be constructed according to general principles described previously with respect to FIGS. 15A-15C and 16A-16E. As shown in FIG. 11, a lighting frame 1101 is generally ring-shaped and has an opening 1107 through which a camera or other image capture device can view. On the lighting frame 1101 may be mounted a plurality of lamps 1112 or in some instances even a single lamp 1112. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the lamps 1112 may be embodied as slim, narrow fluorescent “cold cathode” tubes with an internal phosphorous coating emitting visible light of certain wavelength (for example, a color temperature of around 3200 deg. K or 5500 deg. K, both of which temperatures are commonly used in film and photography applications). FIG. 14 is a graph illustrating an example of a spectral distribution of light (in terms of light wavelength) in accordance with such a lighting effects system. The lamps 1112 are preferably oriented as illustrated in FIG. 11—that is, in a radial pattern, emanating from a centerpoint 1119 of the opening 1107 in the middle of the lighting frame 1101. Where embodied as cold cathode tubes, the lamps 1112 may be of any suitable size, such as, e.g., 3 to 10 millimeters in diameter and 25 to 250 millimeters in length.

Preferably, the lamps 1112 are controllable such that they can produce higher intensity or lower intensity light, and/or can be turned on or off in selected groups to adjust the overall light level provided by the lighting system. One possible means for controlling the light intensity of lamps 1112 is illustrated in FIG. 13. As shown therein, a light control system 1301 includes a selector switch 1310 which has a plurality of settings 1312, each of the settings 1312, in this example, providing a different combination of lamps 1112 (shown as elements 1322 in FIG. 13). By way of illustration, a first setting may illuminate all of the lamps 1322; a second setting may illuminate every other lamp 1322; and a third setting may illuminate every fourth lamp 1322, in each case providing a relatively even distribution of light but of a different overall intensity. For example, if 24 lamps were used, then the first setting would illuminate all 24 lamps, the second setting would illuminate 12 of the 24 lamps, and the third setting would illuminate six of the 24 lamps. The settings may correspond to any desired combination of lamps 1112. For example, each setting may be designed to control an equal number of lamps 1112, but in a different combination. The settings may be selected by any type of analog or digital input means (e.g., a manual knob, a set of switches or buttons, or a programmable interface), and any number of settings or programmable patterns may be offered.

Power for the lighting control system 1301 may be supplied by a battery 1305, which may have a voltage rating of, e.g., 12 volts. The battery 1305 may be rechargeable in nature. Alternatively, or in addition, power may be provided from an alternating current (AC) source, such as a standard 120 volt electrical outlet, connected to an AC-to-DC power converter. The output of the battery 1305 may be controlled by a dimmer switch (not shown), to allow the light intensity level of lamps 1312 to be reduced. Alternatively, or in addition, dimming and/or pulsing can be controlled through a pulse width modulation (PWM) circuit 1317. A first control means (e.g., a manual switch or knob, or programmable interface) (not shown) may be provided for dimming the lamps 1322. For example, a manual knob may control the conductance of a variable resistor, thus allowing more power or less power to reach the lamps 1322. In this way, the selected lamps 1322 may be brightened or dimmed, down to around 20% of their total light output. The PWM circuit 1317 may also, through a second control means (e.g., a manual switch or knob, or a programmable interface) allow pulsing of the light (i.e., a strobing effect) by adjustment of a pulse width modulation frequency. For example, a manual knob may control a variable resistive element, which in turn controls the width of pulses being generated by the PWM circuit 1317. Various techniques for generating pulses of different widths using a variable resistive element to control the selection of the width are well known in the electrical arts.

Energy is preferably delivered to the various lamps 1322 in FIG. 13 through a plurality of high frequency (HF) ballasts 1325, which are capable of converting low DC voltage of the battery 1305 to high DC voltage (e.g., 800 to 1500 volts) for starting the lamp, and mid-level voltage (e.g., 170 to 250 volts) for sustaining lamp operation. Other techniques may also be used to deliver energy to the lamps 1322.

While shown in a radial pattern in FIG. 13, the lamps 1322 (e.g., fluorescent tubes) may also be arranged in other patterns, such as patterns similar to those depicted, for example, in FIGS. 30A, 30B and 30C. FIG. 46 illustrates one example of a pattern of arranging fluorescent tubes (in this case, circular fluorescent tubes) on a lighting frame 4602. In FIG. 46, a lighting assembly 4600 includes a ring-shaped lighting frame 4602 with two fluorescent lamps 4605, an inner (small circumference) fluorescent lamp and an outer (larger circumference) fluorescent lamp. Additional fluorescent lamps (circular or otherwise) may also be added to the lighting frame 4202, or else a single fluorescent lamp may in some cases be utilized. The lighting frame 4602 may, as previously described, be constructed of a lightweight, durable material, and it may have a bracket or other mounting mechanism for mounting to a camera frame or lens (with the camera lens preferably viewing through the generally central hole 4613 in the lighting frame 4602), and/or a bracket or other mounting mechanism for allowing the lighting frame 4602 to be connected to a yoke or stand (such as conceptually represented by arm 4619 in FIG. 46). Energy for the fluorescent lamps 4605 may be provided as previously described herein, such that the lighting assembly 4600 can provide continuous light or, if applicable, various lighting effects.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating various options and accessories as may be used in connection with the lighting assembly frame depicted in FIG. 11. As shown in FIG. 12, the lighting frame 1101 may be augmented with a diffusion filter 1205 and/or a color filter 1215, which may, if desired, be secured into place through a cover 1218 (e.g., a clear plastic cover) which locks or snaps onto the lighting frame 1101. Similar accessories may be utilized, for example, in connection with the lighting frame 302 illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. Illustrations of filtering techniques, through the use of waveguides and other means, are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,272,269 and 6,270,244, both of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

FIG. 44 illustrates, among other things, an adjustable lens cover 4418 similar in general nature to the cover 1218 shown in FIG. 12. In the particular example illustrated in FIG. 44, threading 4491 is provided on the outer surface of the lighting frame 4402 (which may be generally analogous to lighting frame 1101 shown in FIG. 12), and matching trheading 4492 is provided on the interior surface of the adjustable lens cover 4418. The adjustable lens cover 4418 may be formed of clear plastic or a similar material and may be constructed with lenslike attributes (e.g., focal, diffusion) and/or may also be colorized if desired. The adjustable lens cover 4418 is secured to the lighting frame 4402 by twisting the cover 4418 onto the lighting frame 4402 in a screw-like fashion, thereby causing the threadings 4491, 4492 to interlock. By the number of rotations of the lens cover 4418 with respect to the lighting frame 4402, the distance of the “top” surface of the lens cover 4418 to the lighting elements 4405 on the lighting frame 4402 may be varied, thus allowing different lens effects. As further illustrated in FIG. 44, one or more coiled springs 4492 or other similar elements may be provided atop the lighting frame 4402, to secure one or more color gels 4415 or other filtering objects against the inner “top” surface of the adjustable lens frame 4418, when such objects are placed within the cover 4418 in the manner shown, for example, in FIG. 12.

As an alternative to the complementary threading provided on the lens cover 4418 and the lighting frame 4402, other adjustment means may be provided. For example, the lens cover 4418 may be secured to the lighting frame 4402 by one or more adjustable screws which dictate the distance of the “top” surface of the lens cover 4418 from the lighting frame 4402. Also, slide-and-lock mechanisms may be used as well.

It will be appreciated that, in various embodiments, a flexible, lightweight and functional lighting effects system is provided, whereby relatively uniform light may be used in illumination of a subject or area. The lighting effects system may, in various embodiments, allow a lighting frame to be secured to a camera or other image capture device, so as to permit the lighting system to be mobile and move in tandem with the camera or other image capture device, if desired. Also, in various embodiments, the lighting effects system may provide a variety of lighting patterns, including programmable patterns by which individual or groups of lights can be controlled for different lighting effects. The lighting frame may, in certain instances, be formed in multiple sections and hinged to allow the lighting frame to fold, or else snapped apart section by section, for ease of transport.

In various alternative embodiments, the lighting frame need not be ring-shaped in nature, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, for example, but could have other shapes as well. For example, the lighting frame may be square, hexagonal, octagonal, or other polygonal, or could, for instance, have a partially polygonal shape. Preferably, the lighting frame is relatively thin, as compared to its overall size, although it need not be. Also, the lighting frame preferably has a hole generally centered therein to allow a camera or other image capture device to view through the frame, although in some embodiments a viewing hole may not be present. The exterior portion of the lighting frame, or at least the exterior portion thereof, is preferably made of a lightweight, durable material such as plastic and/or lightweight metal (e.g., aluminum), optionally anodized, although in various embodiments it can be made of other materials as well, including any type of metal, wood, plastic, or combination thereof. The interior lighting frame portion may advantageously comprise a printed circuit board.

Other variations may pertain to the manner of attaching the lighting frame to a camera or other image capture device. Rather than using a single mounting bracket or assembly, for example, multiple mounting brackets or assemblies may be used. Also, the mounting bracket or assembly may be permanently attached or affixed to the lighting frame, and may be, for example, retractable or foldable for convenience of transportation. The lighting frame may attach either to the camera body or to the lens portion of the camera. The lighting frame may attach to the camera lens through any of a variety of means, such as by engaging an outer camera lens threading through a threading on the interior circular hole of the lighting frame, engaging an inner camera lens threading by providing a complementary threaded extension for that purpose, by a strap means to secure the lighting frame to the camera and/or stand, or by a “hose-clamp” type strap which grips the outer cylinder of the camera lens. Also, rather than attaching to the camera, the lighting frame may be portable, and may be outfitted with handles for lighting crew to manually carry or hold the lighting frame, or may be adapted to attach to a stand or fixture for providing stationary illumination. The lighting frame may also be adapted to attach to a machine arm or other contrivance for allowing the lighting effects system to be moved as needed for filming or other desired purposes.

Further embodiments, variations, and modifications pertain to the type of lamp elements that may be utilized in a lighting effects system and/or the manner of constructing a lighting frame particularly well suited for placing numerous lamp elements thereon. One method of construction involves the use of surface mount LEDs of the type illustrated, for example, in FIG. 31. As shown therein, a surface mount LED 3100 comprises a body 3104 having a thermal shoe on the bottom surface 3103 and a pair of soldering tabs 3102 for securing the surface mount LED 3100 to a circuit board (e.g., an aluminum core circuit board) or other suitable surface. A lens 3101 atop the body 3104 directs the light generated by the surface mount LED 3100 outwards. While the body 3104 and the lens 3101 of the surface mount LED 3100 radiate heat, the soldering tabs 3102 as well as the thermal shoe on the bottom surface 3103 assist in conducting heat to the mounting surface (e.g., circuit board) and thus may provide advantageous heat dissipation capabilities, particularly as compared to non-surface mount LEDs which tend to dissipate heat typically through their leads. Use of surface mount LEDs provides a larger and more direct heat conduction path to the mounting surface (e.g., circuit board), and may also provide advantages in ease of fabrication and improved durability.

In various embodiments as described herein, the lamp elements used in a lighting effects system or lighting apparatus may comprise high output semiconductor lights such as, for example, high output LEDs. Such high output LEDs are available from Lumileds Lighting, LLC of San Jose, Calif. under the product brand name Luxeon™. High output LEDs are presently available in white as well as colors such as green, blue, red, amber, and cyan, are fully dimmable, and generally operate at about one to several Watts (e.g., 5 Watts), outputting in certain devices approximately 24 lumens per Watt. The high output LEDs may be mounted upon, e.g., a metal printed circuit board (PCB) such as an aluminum core circuit board. High output LEDs may be used in connection with any of the embodiments previously described herein, and may provide advantages of increased lighting output with fewer lamp elements and, hence, reduced cost of construction in certain cases. However, the driving circuitry for the high output LEDs would generally need to have a higher output rating than the circuitry used for lower power LEDs.

FIGS. 36A and 36B are diagrams of two other types of high output surface-mount LEDs, both of which are commercially available from Lumileds Lighting, LLC under the brand name Luxeon™. In FIG. 36A, the surface mount LED 3600 comprises an aluminum bottom plate 3611 atop of which is a printed circuit board (PCB) 3608 (e.g., a fiberglass board such as a standard FR4 board). A high output light source 3605 is mounted atop the PCB 3608. The aluminum bottom plate 3611 acts as a thermal conveyance which assists in conduction of heat to a mounting surface (e.g., circuit board) for thermal dissipation. FIG. 36C shows an oblique view of the surface mount LED 3600 shown in FIG. 36A, illustrating, in this example, the relatively wide bottom plate 3611 relative to the size of the light source 3605. The bottom plate 3611 and PCB 3608 preferably have notches 3615 through which screws may be placed to secure the surface mount LED 3600 to a mounting surface. FIG. 36B illustrates another surface mount LED 3650 that is similar in certain respects to the surface mount LED 3650 shown in FIG. 36A, with an aluminum bottom plate 3661 and printed circuit board 3658 (e.g., fiberglass board such as a standard FR4 board). However, in contrast to the surface mount LED 3600 shown in FIG. 36A, which is Lambertian (domed) in nature, the high output light source 3655 of surface mount LED 3650 is a side emitting light source. Other alternative types of surface mount LEDs, with similar or alternative mounting mechanisms, may also be utilized in various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 37A is a diagram of one embodiment of a lens cap 3702 for a single LED. The lens cap 3702 may act as a focusing lens to direct the light output from an LED in a forward (or other) direction. FIGS. 37B and 37C illustrate placement of the lens cap 3702 with respect to the surface mount LED 3600 of FIG. 36A. As illustrated, the protruding tabs 3704 on the base of the lens cap 3702 may be used to lock the lens cap 3702 into place by snugly residing in the holes 3615 of the base of the surface mount LED 3600. A similar type of lens cap may be used for other types of LEDs. While six tabs 3704 are shown in the example of FIGS. 37A-37C, the number of tabs, or the nature and/or shape of other alternative securing means, may depend upon the particular size, shape, and configuration of the LED base. Also, fewer tabs may be used if there is a desire leave some holes 3615 in the LED base available for receiving securing screws to hold the LED to a mounting surface. In such a case, the lens cap 3702 may be indented or otherwise shaped to allow relatively convenient access to the holes 3615 needed for attaching screws. The lens cap 3702 is illustrated as domed, but may be of any suitable shape for focusing light in a desired manner.

The lens cap 3702 may have an advantage in providing local effects on an individual basis for LEDs. Also, where different color lighting elements are placed within a single high output LED 3600, the lens cap 3702 may be configured to provide local blending of the different colors according to a desired mix.

FIGS. 37D and 37E are diagrams illustrating another embodiment of a lens cap 3752 for an LED, and placement thereof with respect to a particular type of LED 3600. With reference first to FIG. 37E, an illustrated embodiment of lens cap 3752 is shown from an oblique viewpoint in a generally funnel shape, with a cone-like or tapered portion 3753 and a short cylindrical portion 3754 at the apex (i.e., narrow end) of the tapered portion 3753. The lens cap 3752, including the cone-like tapered portion 3753, is preferably transmissive in nature such that light travels through it substantially unimpeded. FIG. 37D, which is a side profile diagram, illustrates preferred placement of the lens cap 3752 with respect to a particular type of LED (that is, the LED 3600 illustrated in FIGS. 36A and 36C). The cylindrical portion 3754 of the lens cap 3752 rests atop the LED 3600, with the tapered portion 3753 gradually widening away from the LED 3600. A concave recess 3755 within the cylindrical portion 3754 may be provided, and is adapted to receive the curved lens 3605 of the LED 3600, as illustrated in FIG. 36D. Light from the LED 3600 enters through the short cylindrical portion 3754 of the lens cap 3752, and exits through the top surface 3759 (see FIG. 37E) thereof. The particular shape of the lens cap 3752 in FIGS. 37D and 37E serves to collect light from the LED 3600 that would otherwise emanate omnidirectionally, and focus the light in a generally conical beam emanating from the top of the lens cap 3752, thus providing a light source with greater directivity.

The lens cap 3752 may be formed of, e.g., glass, plastic, or other suitable material or compound/layers of material, with any desired refractive index(es). One type of lens cap is commercially available, for example, from Lumileds Lighting, LLC.

FIG. 32 is a generalized diagram of an array of surface mount LEDs 3202 (of the type such as shown, for example, in FIG. 31, 36A, or 36B) mounted atop a circuit board 3204, as may be used in various embodiments as described herein (for example, the lighting effects system illustrated in FIG. 4). The circuit board 3204 may comprise rigid fiberglass or phenolic planes with electrically conductive tracks etched on them, and/or may be metallic in nature (such as aluminum core PCBs). The term “circuit board” as used herein is meant to encompass the foregoing structures as well as various other types mounting apparatus, including flexible electrical interconnects such as conductive membranes made on thin Mylar, silicone, or other similar materials. The surface mount LEDs 3202 may be connected together in series and/or in parallel by electrical traces 3203 on the circuit board 3200. While the LEDs 3202 are illustrated in FIG. 32 as being in a straight line array, other LED patterns may also be utilized. As previously mentioned, the soldering tabs and thermal shoe on the bottom each of the surface mount LEDs 3202 generally assist in conducting heat to the circuit board 3204, thus providing advantageous heat dissipation capabilities.

FIG. 35 is a diagram of a lighting apparatus 3500 embodied as a panel 3502 having lighting arrays mounted thereon or therewith, in accordance with various embodiments as described herein. As illustrated in FIG. 35, the lighting apparatus 3500 comprises a panel 3502 which is preferably flat and provides suitable surface area for mounting a set of lamp elements, such as lamp elements 3505 on circuit board assemblies 3506. The circuit board assemblies 3506 may generally be constructed in accordance with the principles described with respect to FIG. 32 above, and the lamp elements 3505 may comprise, for example, surface mount LEDs such as illustrated in FIG. 31. In the example shown, the lamp elements 3505 are generally arranged in series in a straight array formation, but the lamp elements 3505 may be arranged in other patterns as well. Likewise, the circuit board assemblies 3606 are illustrated in FIG. 35 as being arranged in a symmetrical pattern of rows thus providing relatively even illumination in many scenarios, the circuit board assemblies 360 may be arranged in other symmetrical or non-symmetrical patterns, and may be grouped or clustered as well. Furthermore, while the panel 3202 is shown in FIG. 35 as being generally rectangular in shape, the panel 3202 may take any suitable shape, including, for example, hexagonal, octagonal, or other polygonal or semi-polygonal, or round, oval, or ring-shaped (such as illustrated in FIG. 4 for example).

Surface mount technology for the LEDs used in various embodiments as disclosed herein may simplify replacement of the LEDs (allowing “drop in” replacements for example) or else may allow easy replacement of an entire row or array of LEDs should it be desired to change the color of a particular group of LEDs. Also, the LED arrays may be constructed such that the LEDs have screw-in bases or other similar physical attachment means, such that the LEDs can be easily removed and replaced.

Various controls, power supply, and camera mounting means are not shown in FIG. 35, but may be employed in a manner similar to the various other embodiments as described herein. It will be appreciated that the control electronics, power supply, and other electrical components may be part of the panel 3202 or else may be separate therefrom. Furthermore, the lighting apparatus described with respect to FIG. 35 may be embodied as a bi-color or other multi-color lighting system, as described with respect to, e.g., FIGS. 33 and 34.

The lighting apparatus 3500 of FIG. 35 or other various lighting effects systems and apparatuses as described herein may include means for directing light at different angles. Such means may include, for example, pivotable light arrays which physically alter the angle of the lamp elements with respect to the frame (e.g., mounting) surface. The pivoting light arrays may be either manually controllable (via, e.g., a rotatable knob or crank) or electronically controllable through standard electronic input means (e.g., buttons or control knob). Such means may alternatively include adjustable lens elements (either individual or collective for an entire lens array or other group of lamp elements) for redirecting the illumination in a desired direction. Such means may further alternatively include, for example, groups of lamp elements wherein each group has a predetermined angle or range of angles with respect to the frame surface. Each group of lamp elements may be separately controllable, so that different groups can be separately activated or de-activated, or separately intensified or dimmed. With the ability to vary the angle of the lamp elements, the lighting effects system may, for example, allow the abrupt or gradual switching from one angle of illumination to another, or from a more targeted to a more dispersive illumination pattern (or vice versa).

FIGS. 39 and 40 illustrate various panel light embodiments using surface mount LEDs. In FIG. 39, a panel light 3900 comprises one or more rows or arrays (in this example, two rows or arrays) of surface mount LEDs 3905 secured to a mounting surface 3902. Screws 3996 are used in this example to secure the bases of the surface mount LEDs 3905 to the mounting surface 3902. FIG. 40 is similar, with a penal light 4001 having, in this example, four rows or arrays of surface mount LEDs 4005 securing to a mounting surface 4002 with, e.g., screws 4096. The mounting surfaces 3902 or 4002 may comprise a circuit board, and thus LEDs 3905 or 4005 may be mounted directly to a circuit board type mounting surface. The circuit board may be attached to an outer frame of aluminum or another preferably lightweight material, to provide a solid structural support for the circuit board. Panel lights 3900 or 4001 such as shown in FIGS. 39 and 40 may be used as relatively lightweight, portable lighting fixtures that generate less heat than incandescent lighting fixtures, and may be provided with handles for manual manipulation or with brackets or other means to connect to a yoke, stand, or other mechanical contraption. The panel lights 3900 and 4001 may use a ballast to supply power or, in some instances, may be directly connected to an AC electrical outlet (e.g., wall socket).

FIG. 41A illustrates a panel light 4100 of the general type shown, for example, in FIGS. 39 and 40, further illustrating a number of heat conductive fins 4112 which serve to assist with heat dissipation. The panel light 4100 may optionally include a means for facilitating attachment to a single- or multi-panel lighting assembly. In the present example, the panel light 4100 has a pair of T-shaped cutouts 4116 located in each of the fins 4112, such that the T-shaped cutouts 4116 form a pair of straight line, T-shaped grooves through the series of fins 4112. The T-shaped cutouts 4116 may be slid over a T-shaped bar to attach the panel light 4100 to a lighting assembly.

FIG. 41B is a diagram of an example of a multi-panel lighting assembly 4150, illustrating attachment of a panel light 4100 as shown in FIG. 41A to the lighting assembly 4150. In the example of FIG. 41B, the lighting assembly 4150 includes a pair of T-shaped bars 4165 which protrude from a lighting assembly frame 4160, and which are matched to the T-shaped cutouts 4116 in the lighting panel 4100 of FIG. 41A. Once the lighting panel 4100 is slid into place along the T-shaped bars 4165, they securely hold the lighting panel 4100 in place. Insulated caps (not shown), made of rubber or plastic for example, or other such means may be place on the ends of the T-shaped bars 4165 to prevent the lighting panel 4100 from sliding out of place. In the particular example shown, the multi-panel lighting assembly 4150 is configured to receive up to two lighting panels 4100 of the type shown in FIG. 41A, although such an assembly may be configured to receive any number of lighting panels 4100 depending upon the particular needs of the application. The multi-panel lighting assembly 4150 also has another lighting panel 4167 that may be “permanently” attached to or integral with the multi-panel lighting assembly 4150, or else may likewise be attachable and detachable in the manner of lighting panel 4100. The multi-panel lighting assembly 4150 thereby provides a lighting operator with a variety of lighting configurations in a single unit. Other similar modular multi-panel lighting assemblies may be constructed according to the same or similar principles, having any number of panel lights in a variety of different sizes and/or shapes. The multi-panel lighting assembly 4150 may, in certain embodiments, be used in connection with a lighting stand such as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 43 and described elsewhere herein.

Attachment of panel lights (such as, e.g., panel lights 4100) to a of a multi-panel lighting assembly (such as, e.g., multi-panel lighting assembly 4150) may be accomplished by a variety of means. For example, rather than using complementary bars 4165 and cutouts 4116, the panel light 4100 may drop down and lock into an opening in the multi-panel lighting assembly 4150. In such a case, the housing or frame of the multi-panel lighting assembly 4150 may have a molded beam with traverses the outer edge of the opening in which the panel light 4100 would be positioned. Locking tabs, for example, or other such means may be used to secure the dropped-in panel light 4100 within the opening if the multi-panel lighting assembly 4150.

FIG. 38A is a diagram of ring-shaped lighting panel 3800 having surface mount LEDs 3805 (such as, e.g., the high output surface mount LEDs shown in FIG. 36A or 36B) attached to a mounting surface of a frame 3802 which, as with the panel lights described before, may comprise a circuit board. The ring-shaped lighting panel 3800 may have a camera mounting bracket (not shown in FIG. 38A) and generally be utilized in a manner similar to the ring-shaped lighting assembly shown in FIG. 4 and described in various places herein. The surface mount LEDs 3805 in the example of FIG. 38A are arranged in a plurality of rows or arrays 3806 emanating from the center of the hole or cutout region 3803 of the lighting panel 3800. While a relatively dense pattern of LEDs 3805 is illustrated in FIG. 38A, the pattern may be less dense, and the LEDs 3805 need not necessarily be deployed in rows or arrays. Because the LEDs 1305 in this example are high output, the lighting panel 3800 outputs a greater total amount of light than with ordinary LEDs. Also, fewer LEDs need to be physically mounted on the lighting panel 3800, which can reduce cost of construction.

FIG. 38B is a cross-sectional view of the lighting panel 3800 showing the inclusion of optional fins 3812 on the backside of the frame 3802, to assist with heat dissipation. The fins 3812 are shown in cross-section, and form a set of parallel members similar to the fins 4112 shown in FIG. 41A.

FIG. 42A illustrates an integrated lens cover 4200 which can be placed atop, e.g., a panel light 4202 for providing focusing for a plurality of LEDs simultaneously. The panel light 4202 has rows of LEDs 4205, similar to FIGS. 39 and 40, and the integrated lens cover 4210 may be placed atop the panel light 4202 and, e.g., snapped into place by taps 4212, or otherwise secured to the frame of the panel light 4202. FIG. 42B shows additional detail of the integrated lens cover 4210. The integrated lens cover may be formed of any suitable lightweight, durable material (such as plastic) and preferably has a number of focal lens portions 4219 which, when the unit is placed atop the panel light 4202, act as focal lenses for LEDs 4205 which are positioned directly beneath the focal lens portions 4219. The integrated focal lens 4210 may thus allow the panel light 4202 to provide more directed, focused light (e.g., in a forward direction), rather than allowing the light to diffuse in an omnidirectional fashion. Alternatively, the integrated focal lens 4210 may provide other focusing effects that can be done with lenses. The focal lens portions 4219 may be domed or semi-domed, or else any other shape sufficient to serve their intended purpose.

FIGS. 42C and 42D are side profile diagrams illustrating further details of alternative embodiments of an integrated focal lens. FIG. 42C illustrates an integrated focal lens 4265 with tapered focal lenses 4251 emanating from the underside of the sheet-like surface 4250 of the integrated focal lens 4265. In the instant example, the tapered focal lenses 4251 appear as inverted cone-like projections, with small concave recesses 4252 for receiving the dome-like lenses 4255 of LEDs 4256, which are mounted to a mounting surface 4260. The tapered focal lenses 4251 may be constructed in a manner as generally described previously with respect to FIGS. 37D and 37E, and may also have a short cylindrical portion 3754 such as illustrated in those figures, for resting atop the LEDs 4256 and providing added support to the top surface 4250 of the integrated focal lens 4265. Alternatively, separate struts (not shown) may be molded to the underside of the integrated focal lens 4265 to provide such support. The integrated focal lens 4265 may, in certain embodiments, be constructed by attaching (using glue or solvent) individual, tapered focal lenses of the type illustrated in FIGS. 37D and 37E to the underside of a clear plastic sheet, and then providing securing means for the overall resulting lens device to allow it to secure to, e.g., a panel lighting fixture.

FIG. 42D illustrates an alternative embodiment of an integrated focal lens 4285, with bubble-shaped or domed focal lenses 4271 on the topside of the sheet-like surface 4250 of the integrated focal lens 4285. The focal lenses 4271 may be constructed in a manner as generally described previously with respect to FIGS. 37A-37C, and may also have one or more projecting members or struts (not shown) on the underside of the integrated focal lens 4285 to provide support for the top surface 4270 thereof. Other shapes and styles of integrated focal lenses (or other lenses) may also be utilized for an integrated focal lens.

FIG. 43 illustrates a panel lighting assembly 4300 in which a panel light frame 4302 is attached to a stand 4380. The panel light frame 4302 may include multiple panel light sections 4303, 4304, or may be a single unitary panel light. The stand 4380 may be of a conventional nature, with a C-shaped yoke 4381 for securing the panel light frame 4302 crossbar and allowing it to tilt for directional lighting. A twisting handle 4317 may be used to lock the panel light frame 4302 at a particular tilting angle. The C-shaped yoke 4381 may be rotatable or pivotable by placement atop a fluid head 4382, which in turn is positioned atop a stem 4384 and tripod 4386. The panel lighting assembly 4300 thus conveniently provides a variety of directional lighting options for the panel light frame 4302.

In alternative embodiments, a ball-and-socket mechanism may be used to rotate/pivot an attached lighting panel, using socket joints similar to those used for, e.g., computer monitors. Likewise, in any of the foregoing embodiments, motorization may be employed to control the movement of the lighting yokes or stands. Motorized control is well known in the art for lighting apparatus (particularly in the performing arts field), and the motorized control may be either automated or manual in nature.

FIG. 45 is a diagram of another embodiment of a lighting fixture 4500 employing semiconductor light elements. In FIG. 45 is shown a flexible strip 4502 with an array of surface mount LEDs 4505 mounted on the flexible strip 4502. The flexible strip 4502 preferably comprises a circuit board that may be comprised, for example, of a material such as mylar or composite material, of sufficient thinness to allow the circuit board to be bent and/or twisted. The circuit board may be at least partially encased in an insulated (e.g., rubberized) material or housing that is likewise flexible and thin. Heat dissipating fins (not shown in FIG. 45) may protrude from the backside of the flexible strip 4502, to assist with cooling of the surface mount LEDs 4505. While a single array of surface mount LEDs 4505 is illustrated in the example of FIG. 45, two or more arrays of LEDs 4505 may be used, and may be positioned, e.g., side by side. An electrical connector 4540 with electrical contact receptacles 4541 is also illustrated in the example of FIG. 45, for receiving an electrical cord (not shown) supplying power for the LEDs 4505. Other alternative means for providing electrical power, such as a battery located in an integrated battery housing, may also be used.

Certain embodiments have been described with respect to the placement of lamp elements (e.g., LEDs) on a “mounting surface” or similar surface or area. It will be appreciated that the term “mounting surface” and other such terms encompass not only flat surfaces but also contoured, tiered, or multi-level surfaces. Further, the term covers surfaces which allow the lamp elements to project light at different angles.

Various embodiments have been described as having particular utility to film and other image capture applications. However, the various embodiments may find utility in other areas as well, such as, for example, automated manufacturing, machine vision, and the like.

While preferred embodiments of the invention have been described herein, many variations are possible which remain within the concept and scope of the invention. Such variations would become clear to one of ordinary skill in the art after inspection of the specification and the drawings. The invention therefore is not to be restricted except within the spirit and scope of any appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A wide area illumination system, comprising: a portable frame readily attachable to and detachable from a housing of an imaging device; at least one fluorescent lamp element secured to the portable frame, said at least one fluorescent lamp element illuminating an area wider than the portable frame and generating a substantially uniform pattern of illumination with respect to a center axis of the portable frame; and means for providing electrical power to said at least one fluorescent lamp element such that the fluorescent lamp element operates as a continuous light source.
 2. The illumination system of claim 1, wherein said at least one fluorescent lamp element comprise at least two fluorescent lamp elements.
 3. The illumination system of claim 1, wherein said portable frame comprises a circularly shaped panel.
 4. The illumination system of claim 3, wherein each said fluorescent lamp element comprises a circular tube.
 5. The illumination system of claim 3, wherein said at least one fluorescent lamp element comprises two or more fluorescent circular tubes of different circumferences concentrically arranged.
 6. The illumination system of claim 5, wherein said panel defines a hole substantially in the center of said panel, through which the imaging device has a field of view when attached to the portable frame, and wherein each of said fluorescent circular tubes comprises a curved tube member of substantially toroidal shape which is secured to the portable frame such that the curved tube member surrounds the center hole.
 7. The illumination system of claim 3, wherein each said fluorescent lamp element comprises a substantially straight tube.
 8. The illumination system of claim 7, wherein said panel defines a hole substantially in the center of said panel, through which the imaging device has a field of view when attached to the portable frame, and wherein said at least one fluorescent lamp comprises a plurality of straight-tube fluorescent lamp elements oriented in a radiating pattern with respect to a centerpoint of the hole in the center of said panel, each of straight-tube fluorescent lamp elements positioned lengthwise on a radial axis emanating from said centerpoint of the hole.
 9. The illumination system of claim 1, wherein said means for providing electrical power to said at least one fluorescent lamp element comprises one or more high frequency ballasts, said high frequency ballasts converting a low DC voltage of from a battery power source to a high voltage level for starting said at least one fluorescent lamp element, and to a mid-level voltage for sustaining operation of said at least one fluorescent lamp element.
 10. The illumination system of claim 9, wherein each said fluorescent lamp element is connected to one of said ballasts, and wherein each ballast is connected to one of said fluorescent light elements.
 11. The illumination system of claim 1, wherein said means for providing electrical power to said at least one fluorescent lamp element comprises a controller for varying an intensity level of said at least one fluorescent lamp element.
 12. The illumination system of claim 11, wherein said at least one fluorescent lamp element comprises a plurality of fluorescent lamp elements electronically connected in groups of one or more lamp elements, and wherein said plurality of fluorescent lamp elements are groupwise controllable.
 13. The illumination system of claim 11, wherein said controller comprises means for manually selecting the intensity level of said at least one fluorescent lamp element.
 14. The illumination system of claim 1, wherein said imaging device comprises a camera.
 15. The illumination system of claim 14, wherein said portable frame attaches to an exterior housing or bracket of said camera whereby said portable frame follows movements of said camera.
 16. The illumination system of claim 14, wherein said portable frame attaches to a lens of said camera whereby said portable frame follows movements of said camera.
 17. A wide area fluorescent light illumination system, comprising: a panel having a front surface; at least one fluorescent lamp element secured to the front surface of the panel so as to illuminate a wide area; a continuous electrical power source for said at least one fluorescent lamp element; and an attachment member for attaching said panel to an imaging device whereby the panel and imaging device move together.
 18. The illumination system of claim 17, wherein said panel is relatively flat.
 19. The illumination system of claim 17, wherein said at least one fluorescent lamp element comprise at least two fluorescent lamp elements.
 20. The illumination system of claim 17, wherein said panel is substantially ring-shaped, and wherein said at least one fluorescent lamp illuminates an area wider than the panel and generates a substantially uniform pattern of illumination with respect to a center axis of the panel.
 21. The illumination system of claim 20, wherein each said fluorescent lamp element comprises a circular tube substantially toroidal in shape.
 22. The illumination system of claim 20, wherein said at least one fluorescent lamp element comprises two or more substantially toroidal fluorescent circular tubes of different circumferences concentrically arranged with respect to one another.
 23. The illumination system of claim 20, wherein the imaging device views through a hole in said panel when attached thereto.
 24. The illumination system of claim 20, wherein each said fluorescent lamp element comprises a substantially straight tube.
 25. The illumination system of claim 20, said at least one fluorescent lamp comprises a plurality of straight-tube fluorescent lamp elements oriented in a radiating pattern with respect to a centerpoint of a hole substantially in the center of said panel, each of straight-tube fluorescent lamp elements positioned lengthwise on a radial axis emanating from said centerpoint of the hole.
 26. The illumination system of claim 17, wherein said continuous electrical power source comprises one or more high frequency ballasts, said high frequency ballasts converting a low DC voltage of from a battery power source to a high voltage level for starting said at least one fluorescent lamp element, and to a mid-level voltage for sustaining operation of said at least one fluorescent lamp element.
 27. The illumination system of claim 26, wherein each said fluorescent lamp element is connected to one of said high frequency ballasts, and wherein each of said high frequency ballasts is connected to one of said fluorescent lamp elements.
 28. The illumination system of claim 17, wherein said continuous electrical power source comprises a controller for varying an intensity level of said at least one fluorescent lamp element.
 29. The illumination system of claim 28, wherein said controller comprises means for manually selecting the intensity level of said at least one fluorescent lamp element.
 30. The illumination system of claim 17, wherein said imaging device comprises a camera, and wherein said panel follows movements of the camera when attached thereto.
 31. The illumination system of claim 30, wherein said panel attaches to a lens of the camera.
 32. A portable, camera-mounted, wide area, continuous illumination source, comprising: a panel attachable to a camera such that it follows movements of the camera, said panel having a front surface and a hole located substantially in the center of the front surface of said panel through which the camera views when attached to said panel; a plurality of fluorescent lamp elements secured to the front surface of the panel and dispersing illumination over a wide area; and a controller by which a continuous intensity level of said fluorescent lamp elements is adjusted.
 33. The illumination source of claim 32, wherein said panel is relatively flat and ring-shaped.
 34. The illumination source of claim 33, wherein each of said fluorescent lamp elements comprises a substantially toroidal shaped circular tube having different diameters, and wherein said fluorescent lamp elements are concentrically arranged with respect to one another.
 35. The illumination source of claim 32, wherein said fluorescent lamp elements each comprise a substantially straight tube and are oriented in a radiating pattern with respect to a centerpoint of said hole, each of straight-tube fluorescent lamp elements positioned lengthwise on a radial axis emanating from said centerpoint of the hole.
 36. The illumination source of claim 32, further comprising a plurality of high frequency ballasts for providing electrical power to said fluorescent light elements, said high frequency ballasts converting a low DC voltage of from a battery power source to a high voltage level for starting said fluorescent lamp elements, and to a mid-level voltage for sustaining operation of said fluorescent lamp elements.
 37. The illumination source of claim 32, wherein said panel attaches to a lens of said camera.
 38. The illumination system of claim 12, wherein: said panel defines a circular hole substantially in the center of said panel; each of said groups comprises a plurality of fluorescent lamp elements substantially uniformly spaced from one another in a radial pattern with respect to the circular hole; and said controller has a plurality of different switch settings for selecting the different groups of fluorescent lamp elements.
 39. The illumination system of claim 38, wherein a first switch setting simultaneously illuminates a first group comprising all of the fluorescent lamp elements, and a second switch setting simultaneously illuminates a second group comprising every other fluorescent lamp element. 